Identification camera adapter

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses an identification camera adapter which produces photographs including the image of a subject in combination with pertinent related information of considerable length on the same exposure. The device masks one portion of the negative while the other portion is being exposed; the adapter is then placed in another position causing the exposed portion to be masked while the unexposed portion is then exposed.

United States Patent 2,404,366 7/1946 Duffy 2,896,522 7/1959 SteinPrimary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-E. M. BeroAttorney-Gregg William Hornaday ABSTRACT: This invention discloses anidentification camera adapter which produces photographs including theimage of a subject in combination with pertinent related information ofconsiderable length on the same exposure. The device masks one portionof the negative while the other portion is being exposed; the adapter isthen placed in another position causing the exposed portion to be maskedwhile the unexposed portion is then exposed.

IDENTIFICATION CAMERA ADAPTER SUMMARY Cameras of many types and modelshave been used for years in personal, business, governmental, andindustrial environments for the purpose of recording the image of asubject and accompanying written or illustrative information on the samenegativeysubjects photographed are usually persons, but are occasionallyarticles, views, or other inanimate objects. The informationaccompanying the subject is typically name, age, serial number, or otheridentifying number, and various statistics such as weight, height, coloror of skin, hair, and eyes, and history, background, or record ofperformance. Examples of such photographs include the bookingphotographs taken in jails-and prisons, and entrance photographs takenin mental hospitals where the purpose is to irrevocably record the imageof the individual with his name and other identification. The purpose ofsuch photographs include convenience, and the avoidance of substitutionof the photograph with the identification data of another individual.

Present methods of producing a photograph of the type described aboveare generally of two kinds. The most common method finds thesubject-holding a breast plate or sign a few inches below his chin. Thephotographer or the subject himself has patiently inserted lettersforming words and identification numbers on the breast plate. Thesubject is then photographed holding the breast plate. This method hasseveral unsatisfactory aspects. The amount of information which may beplaced on the breast plate is limited. Letters must be at least one-halfinch tall to be clearly readable. Usually'no more than a name and anumber may be recorded with the photograph by this method. There is alsoa natural reluctance and uneasiness of the subjects to be photographedwith this information across his chest. This method is so identifiablewith prisons and similar institutions that its elimination will causethe subject to be more relaxed and willing to be photographed. This isespecially true in the typical business or industrial situation.

Another method involves rephotographing two separate exposure to producea third; complete picture. By this method the subject is photographed,and the written information is separately photographed. The two printsare then placed adjacent to each other and rephotographed. Thedisadvantages are obvious, in that three separate exposures must bemade.

The object of this invention is to provide an adapter for anidentification photograph camera which will avoid all of thedisadvantages in the present methods discussed above. A further objectis to provide an adapter which is simple, easy to use, and relativelycompact.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a camera adapterwhich will mask the upper or lower portion of the negative while theother portion is being exposed, and which may be repositioned to reversethe masked/exposed positions for exposure of the originally maskedportion.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment thereof, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the device in the dataposition, with the mask in position to photograph the identificationcard on the lower portion of the negative.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device in the subject" positionshowing the device with the mask in position to photograph the subjecton the upper portion of the negative.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view showing the device in the sameposition as FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view showing the device in the sameposition as in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the resulting identification photo.

Referring to the drawings, a camera will be seen in conjunction with anidentification photograph adapter 30 and a data carrier 40. Each ismounted to an adjustable base 20.

through. The size of the opening,

The camera 10 is typical of many cameras which could be used with theadapter. Any camera capable of photographing a subject a few feet awayfrom the lens could be used. Black and white, color. standard, orPolaroid photographic materials are acceptable.

For convenience, a camera 10 is shown having a basic body 12, lens andfilter combination l4, and accompanying synchronized flash attachment16. The camera and flash are mounted to the upper base 22 by means ofstandard tripod screws 26.

The upper base 22 is connected to the lower base 24 by a hinge 28. Acrank '29 is used to elevate and lower the upper base 22 in relation tothe lower base 24. The purpose of the crank is for flexibility insighting the camera on the subject. The subject usually stands or sits,and depending upon his height, the camera 10, adapter 30,-and upper base22 must be adjusted accordingly.

The adapter 30 is mounted tothe upper base 22 by or a hinge 36, which isattached to the baseplate. 62 of the adapter. The main portion of theadapter In the in the configuration of an incomplete box havingadditional walls extending therefrom. in the data position, a sidewall38 extends verti' cally upward from one side of the baseplate 62 in aplane which is normal to the plane of The baseplate, and is disposedbetween and parallel to the focal axis of the lens 14 and theillumination axis of the flash 16, which-will shield the masking wall 32from direct light from the flash. A backwall 54 extends normally fromthe baseplate upward along the rear edge of and normal to the top of thesidewall38. The backwall is extended at the same height and in the sameplane, on the op posite side of the sidewall 38. This .portion of thebackwall 54 is referred to as the backwall extension 52. The backwall 54has an opening into which an accessory lens'58 is inserted. Theaccessory lens 58 aligns with the-camera lens 14 when the adapter is inthe data" position.

The backwall extension 52 carries an opening 60. The purpose of thebackwall extension'52 is toreduce the intensity of the light emanatingfrom the flash 16 when the device 30 is in the data position. Theopening 60 carries a light reducing screen 56. The screen may be ofstained glass, fine meshed metal screen, perforated metal plate or anyother known material which will reduce the intensity of light passingand type of material used as a screen will depend upon the type and sizeof flash being used, and the size, color, reflective quality, and typeof identification information being photographed. Since theidentification information is photographed at a location much closer tothe camera than the subject, it is necessary to reduce the intensity ofthelight to avoid over illumination'of the card carrying theinformation. This must be carefully determined to assure the highest.quality print.

A masking wall 32 is located in a plane parallel to and in a spacedrelation from the backwall 54. The masking wall is defined at the top bythe upper plate 50 and at one side by the sidewall 38. The masking wallextends down from the upper plate for adistance calculated to mask theupper portion of a negative in the exposure position ofthecamera. Thelength of the-masking wall will depend upon the amount of the negative-desired to be masked. The upper plate 50 is defined on three sides bythe backwall 54,-sidewall 38, and masking wall 32. it is nonnal to thesewalls, provides structural support, and is the top of the boxlikeconfiguration. A masking plate 34 is attached normal to the base plate62, extends downward, and is in the same plane as the masking wall 32.When the adapter 30 is in the data position, the masking plate 34extends downward and serves no function. When the adapter is in thesubject position, the masking plate serves to mask the lower portion ofthe negative. The width-of the masking plate 34 will be determined, asin the length of the masking wall, by the amount of the negative soughtto be masked.

A light shield 25 is mounted to the upper base 22 by means of a hinge64, the axis of that hinge being parallel to the axis by means of ahinge 64, the axis of that hinge being parallel to the axis of hinge 36.When the adapter is in the data" position, the light shield is swungaway from the adapter and lays on the upper base. When the adapter is inthe subject" position, the light shield is swung up vertically leaningagainst the masking plate 34. its purpose in this position is to shieldlight from the flash 16. This avoids illuminating the masking plate 34.

A card carrier 40 comprises an arm 42 and card plate 44. The arm 42 isadjustably attached to the upper plate 22 and extends parallel to thefocal axis of the camera and carries the card plate 44, which is mountedvertically at the end of the arm. The card plate holds a card or sheetof paper by clips, slots, or similar convenient method.

The adapter 30 is set in either the data position or subject positionand an exposure is made. A second exposure is made after changing theposition of the adapter. In the "subject position the light shield 25 isplaced in the vertical position.

We claim:

1. A device for masking a portion of a negative in an identificationcamera, which comprises:

a. a base;

b. a baseplate mounted to said base;

cl means for mounting said base plate to said base to allow movement ofsaid baseplate from a horizontal position parallel to said base to aposition vertical to said base;

d. a first masking wall mounted to and in a plane normal with saidbaseplate and interposed between the negative of an identificationcamera and the subject;

e. a second masking wall mounted to said baseplate in the same plane asand in a spaced relation from said first masking wall in such a mannerthat said second masking wall will in the vertical baseplate positionoccupy a position in space adjacent to the position occupied by saidfirst masking wall in said horizontal baseplate position, and furtherinterposed between the negative of an identification camera and thesubject.

2. A masking device as recited in claim 1, including the followingadditional element:

a. light intensity reducing means connected to said base in a manner toalign with a flash bulb when said baseplate is in the horizontalposition.

3. A masking device as recited in claim 2, in which the light intensityreducing means comprises:

a. a first wall attached normal to said baseplate;

b. said first wall defining an aperture;

c. a light intensity reducing material mounted over said aperture.

4. A masking device as recited in claim 3, in which the light intensityreducing material comprises:

a. a screen.

5. A masking device as recited in claim 1 including the followingadditional element:

a. an arm extending adjustably from said base;

b. a card plate attached to the end ofsaid arm.

6. A masking device as recited in claim 3 including the followingadditional elements:

a. said first wall defining a second aperture for alignment with acamera lens;

b. a second wall extending from and normal to said baseplate, and normalto said baseplate, and normal to and disposed between the planes ofsaidfirst wall and said masking walls, and further disposed between saidapertures.

7. A masking device as recited in claim 6 including the followingadditional element:

a. a light shield mounted to said base to shield said second maskingwall when said baseplate is in the vertical position;

b. hinge means to mount said light shield to said base.

8. A masking device as recited in claim 6 including the followingadditional elements:

a. an arm extending adjustable from said base;

b. a card plate attached to the end of said arm. 9. A mas ing device asrecited in claim 7 including the following additional elements:

a. an arm extending adjustably from said base; b. a card plate attachedto the end of said arm. 10. A masking device as recited in claim 9including the following additional elements:

a. a lower base disposed below and substantially parallel with the planeof said base; b. hinge means for connecting said lower base to saidbase; 0. crank means attached to said lower base and making contact withsaid base in a manner to raise or lower said base with respect to saidlower base.

1. A device for masking a portion of a negative in an identificationcamera, which comprises: a. a base; b. a baseplate mounted to said base;cl means for mounting said base plate to said base to allow movement ofsaid baseplate from a horizontal position parallel to said base to aposition vertical to said base; d. a first masking wall mounted to andin a plane normal with said baseplate and interposed between thenegative of an identification camera and the subject; e. a secondmasking wall mounted to said baseplate in the same plane as and in aspaced relation from said first masking wall in such a manner that saidsecond masking wall will in the vertical baseplate position occupy aposition in space adjacent to the position occupied by said firstmasking wall in said horizontal baseplate position, and furtherinterposed between the negative of an identification camera and thesubject.
 2. A masking device as recited in claim 1, including thefollowing additional element: a. light intensity reducing meansconnected to said base in a manner to align with a flash bulb when saidbaseplate is in the horizontal position.
 3. A masking device as recitedin claim 2, in which the light intensity reducing means comprises: a. afirst wall attached normal to said baseplate; b. said first walldefining an aperture; c. a light intensity reducing material mountedover said aperture.
 4. A masking device as recited in claim 3, in whichthe light intensity reducing material comprises: a. a screen.
 5. Amasking device as recited in claim 1 including the following additionalelement: a. an arm extending adjustably from said base; b. a card plateattached to the end of said arm.
 6. A masking device as recited in claim3 including the following additional elements: a. said first walldefining a second aperture for alignment with a camera lens; b. a secondwall extending from and normal to said baseplate, and normal to saidbaseplate, and normal to and disposed between the planes of said firstwall and said masking walls, and further disposed between saidapertures.
 7. A masking device as recited in claim 6 including thefollowing additional element: a. a light shield mounted to said base toshield said second masking wall when said baseplate is in the verticalposition; b. hinge means to mount said light shield to said base.
 8. Amasking device as recited in claim 6 including the following additionalelements: a. an arm extending adjustable from said base; b. a card plateattached to the end of said arm.
 9. A masking device as recited in claim7 including the following additional elements: a. an arm extendingadjustably from said base; b. a card plate attached to the end of saidarm.
 10. A masking device as recited in claim 9 including the followingadditional elements: a. a lower base disposed below and substantiallyparallel with the plane of said base; b. hinge means for connecting saidlower base to said base; c. crank means attached to said lower base andmaking contact with said base in a manner to raise or lower said basewith respect to said lower base.